Platypus (Wildlife by Mojö Fun)

Review and images by Fembrogon; edited by bmathison1972

Is there any animal more perfectly suited as the poster child of nature’s weirdness than the duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)? …Well, okay, there probably is; but the platypus is almost certainly the most ubiquitous. When it was first discovered by the Western scientific world, many did not believe this “flat-footed” mammal was real; of course, today we know clearly otherwise. This soft-billed, egg-laying monotreme is a relic of more ancient mammal lineages, and a beloved genus in science and pop culture, with many a toy to its name.

Just about every major company producing animal replicas has done a platypus, several of which are of very good quality. Mojö Fun threw their own hat into the monotreme ring in 2011, releasing a rather cute little platypus for their wildlife catalog. Mojö’s platypus measures 7.5 cm (3 in) straight, or 9 cm (3.5 in) along the curve of the back for a more accurate estimate. At this length, the toy fits between 1:4 and 1:5 scale for a live individual of 43 cm (17 cm), which is an average size for adult females. Mojö’s toy does indeed appear to represent a female in particular, due to the lack of large spurs on the hind feet which would indicate a male. The bottom of the toy features the typical copyright engravings for Mojo and similar companies, including the 2011 copyright date and “C E” certification.

The platypus is posed in a neutral sitting position, body and tail gently curved in a crescent to the left, with the hind feet mostly tucked underneath. The stomach is pressed flat to keep the toy level, which also conveys the soft body texture of the animal. A fine pelt of fur is neatly sculpted around all surfaces of the plump, round body, save for obvious spots like the bill and feet. The feet are accurately sculpted with different webbing – the front feet have webbing extending past the toes, while the webbing on the back feet is far more reduced. The tail appears a bit small compared to some photos I’ve seen of platypuses, but is otherwise broad and flat, similar to a beaver’s tail, and is gently curved with the shape of the body.

The platypus’s head is perked upwards at about a 30-degree angle, as if curious about some new nearby stimuli. The eyes are positively tiny, but perfectly rounded with a hint of a cheek dimple. Ear slit impressions, nearly as small as the eyes, are also subtly visible on the head. The iconic bill, meanwhile, is smooth and glossy, with just a few traces of texture that reflect the leathery surface of the real animal’s bill (this might just be an artifact of the sculpting process, but hey, it works). Each segment of the bill is distinctly shaped, with the nostrils ever so slightly raised at the front of the snout. Mojö has done a splendid job packing detail into this diminutive sculpt.

A platypus isn’t a difficult animal to color, but Mojö has done a commendable job on the paint job regardless. Each of the minuscule eyes, plus every toe between four feet, has been neatly painted a fine glossy black, with almost no slop despite the incredibly small scale. The bill is also a solid, semi-glossy black. The main body is a dark brown, which transitions to solid tan underneath. A faint hint of lighter brown dry-brushing is also evident in the coat, drawing out more of the fine furry sculpt details. For such a dainty figurine, the lifelike effect is most impressive. One could easily think the pelt of fur was almost real!

Perhaps the most surprising feature of Mojö’s platypus, however, is also the most unscientific. If I’m going to be totally honest, what makes Mojö’s figurine stand out from the competition for me is: it’s just plain cute! Thanks to its smaller size and choice of pose, this miniature model naturally hits all the charm points I could ask for (without even expecting to). No stylization or anthropomorphization is required – this little platypus looks completely content, like she’s snug in her burrow, peeking out and just watching the day roll by. I don’t normally judge my figurines on “cuteness”; but Mojö managed to make an incredibly endearing model without sacrificing its natural authenticity. I don’t think that’s an easy feat to accomplish, so bravo, Mojö, whether you intended that or not!

With so many companies delivering on the market, it might seem hard to choose the best platypus of the bunch (provided you aren’t just buying them all). For what it’s worth, however, you can’t go wrong with Mojo’s contribution. This is an impressively lifelike, incredibly charming little figurine, and it’s sure to bring joy to any kid’s or collector’s shelf. The Mojö platypus should be available through most retailers stocking Mojö products, including Happy Hen Toys, Minizoo, or just plain old Amazon.